Former Jenkins teacher John H. Welch, 88, dies

Funeral services for John H. Welch, 88, of Lexington, were held September 24 in Lexington. Burial will be today (Wednesday, September 25) at the Hogg-Welch Cemetery in Mayking.

A son of the late R.H Welch and Bertie Hubbard Welch, he was born in Fleming. He died September 22.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, R.H. Welch Jr. and Frank Welch; two sisters, Pearl Goode and Ida Allen; a sister-in-law, Lavenna Welch; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Goode and Sylvester Allen; and a niece, Linda Welch Ison.

Upon graduation from Pikeville College, Mr. Welch began his teaching career at Jenkins Independent Schools. After teaching for a number of years, he became a regional sales manager for Prentice-Hall publishers. He then established Book Wholesalers Inc., which sold children’s books to public libraries and school systems.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Whitesburg.

Surviving are a daughter, Lina Welch Brewer and husband Mark, Nicholasville; a son, John Astor Welch and wife Pam, Lexington; two grandsons, Aaron Caudill and wife Sarah, and Jeremy Brewer and wife Barbara; two granddaughters, Christina Parker and Lisa Smith and husband Allen; four great-granddaughters, Melanie, Courtney, Avery and Raegan; a great-grandson, Reid; a great-great-grandson, Aiden; and a sister-in-law, Geraldine Smith Welch.